Renovation

Nadia Babayi, executive director of Laguna Beach Seniors, hopes the upcoming renovation at the Vista Aliso senior living complex will encourage more seniors to use the Susi Q Senior Center. The property's owner, National Church Residences, started work on the exterior of Vista Aliso's seven buildings, part of a larger $1.24 million renovation that includes adding a restroom to the common area, roof and window replacements, and kitchen and bathroom renovations in each of the complex's 71 tenant units.

The Grand Old Lady of Laguna has no need for a facelift, but recently the Hotel Laguna's interior underwent an "up-do. " Georgia Andersen presided over the Oct. 13 rededication of the hotel to celebrate the extensive remodeling of its interior. The event was an homage to the history of the hotel and to her husband, Claes Andersen , who died in August 2010. "This is really a momentous occasion for me," Andersen said. "Claes and I moved [to Laguna] in 1985. We were so happy to be here.

-- Mary A. Castillo The Inn at Laguna has recently completed an extensive, $2-million renovation that began in October 2001. The work began after Classic Hotels purchased the Inn at Laguna Beach last summer. The $2-million project included upgrades to the guest rooms, the main lobby and foyer; landscaping; and redesign of the exterior of the 70-room oceanfront hotel. "The scope of the renovations is extensive," said Michael Crow, president of Classic Hotels and Resorts.

The City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday plans to renovate the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. The project was recommended by the Planning Commission, with no opposition. It was appealed only as a matter of policy when the city is the applicant, affording the council an opportunity to review the plans for the two-phase project, which could be constructed separately or consolidated, depending on bids and funding. “We are hoping for a complete remodel,” shelter volunteer Elizabeth Bauer said.

The following is from the March 13 meeting of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees. Top of the World library to be renovated After a short discussion, the board unanimously approved the renovation of the Top of the World Elementary School library/media center, at a cost not to exceed $275,000. The renovation will include utility and data re-routing and reinstallation; floor removal and reconstruction; new lib- rary furniture and circulation desk; and carpeting.

A $5 million renovation at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach is nearing completion. The Laguna Beach City Council will rededicate Heisler Park after the extensive renovations July 1 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon. The ceremony will be at Picnic Beach. A free hot dog lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while supplies last. The renovation, which started after Labor Day, focused on areas around Rockpile and Picnic Beaches, where restrooms have been replaced, pathways reconfigured, and overlook areas added for ocean viewing, according to Assistant City Manager John Pietig.

Water district seeks commissioners The Laguna Beach County Water District is accepting applications for two comission seats. Applications must be submitted by May 27. For more information, call (949) 494-1041 or go to 306 Third St. City manager's weekly update The appeal period for the coastal development permit for the lifeguard headquarters and public restroom project expired March 24, meaning the permit is now final, according to the California Coastal Commission.

Owner appreciates useful criticism Thank you for your comments and endorsement in "Why don't they dig parking plan." I obviously share your enthusiasm and thank Councilperson Iseman, Mayor Pearson-Schneider, other council members, the chamber of commerce and merchants who all provided urging to search for an economically feasible way to provide increased parking for the historical Pottery Shack site renovation and...

Local library patrons may go into withdrawal starting Aug. 17, when Laguna’s branch closes its doors for at least three months. The branch will be getting its long overdue overhaul. Unfortunately the library cannot stay open while the work is underway. “It’s a huge, huge undertaking,” said Martha Lydick , perennial president of the Friends of the Laguna beach Library. But don’t panic. The Friends bookstore will be open except for about 2 ½ weeks, with the dates to be announced, Lydick said.

The South Coast Water District plans to present revisions to a proposed project that would shore up a two-mile underground tunnel and replace an aging sewer pipeline in South Laguna. City planning commissioners will review the changes to the estimated $80-million project when they meet next week. Concerned about the possibility of traffic and construction-related noise, residents called for changes to how the work would be implemented during an October Planning Commission meeting.

The city will fund the lion's share of the cost of improving and maintaining the six tennis courts on Park Avenue opposite Laguna Beach High School. Council members Tuesday approved the terms of five new joint-use agreements that spell out the city's financial commitment to the Laguna Beach Unified School District for the use of its facilities, including $435,000 of the $620,000 cost to renovate the tennis courts. "I remember how shocked the council was when the district informed us of the cost of the tennis courts," said Councilwoman Toni Iseman.

A retirement home for cats in Laguna Canyon now has room for more felines thanks to a Laguna Woods resident's generous donation. The Blue Bell Foundation for Cats, at 20982 Laguna Canyon Road, held a grand opening for the renovation of its lower building, called the Anderson-Wentzel house, on June 24. The house is named for Richard Anderson, who footed $90,000 of the $100,000 renovation cost, and his partner, Alex Wentzel, who died in 2011, according...

Nadia Babayi, executive director of Laguna Beach Seniors, hopes the upcoming renovation at the Vista Aliso senior living complex will encourage more seniors to use the Susi Q Senior Center. The property's owner, National Church Residences, started work on the exterior of Vista Aliso's seven buildings, part of a larger $1.24 million renovation that includes adding a restroom to the common area, roof and window replacements, and kitchen and bathroom renovations in each of the complex's 71 tenant units.

Art is a component of the Broadway Street improvements designed to beautify the portal that connects the city to the canyon. The $700,000 project includes renovated sidewalks, landscaping and irrigation, and is partially funded by a $480,000 grant. Sculptures by Cheryl Ekstrom and Marsh Scott will beautify it, if the City Council approves the Arts Commission's recommendations at the July 17 meeting. "This is the first time I have ever won," Ekstrom said. "I felt like Susan Lucci.

After several months of stripping, gutting and remodeling, the Inn at Laguna Beach, 211 N. Coast Hwy., is taking the tape off its multimillion-dollar renovations Friday. The upgrades started Feb. 28, and are complete except for the pool, which will reopen later in June, said General Manager Peggy Trott. The only areas not being renovated are the hallways and one ballroom. The last renovation was in 2001. The hotel's owner, Classic Hotels & Resorts, along with L.A. interior designer John Cottrell of John Cottrell Co. in Los Angeles, collaborated on the design, which reflects an island, beachy vibe right down to the photos hanging on the wall.

The Grand Old Lady of Laguna has no need for a facelift, but recently the Hotel Laguna's interior underwent an "up-do. " Georgia Andersen presided over the Oct. 13 rededication of the hotel to celebrate the extensive remodeling of its interior. The event was an homage to the history of the hotel and to her husband, Claes Andersen , who died in August 2010. "This is really a momentous occasion for me," Andersen said. "Claes and I moved [to Laguna] in 1985. We were so happy to be here.

City officials celebrated the completion of the Heisler Park renovations with a traditional ribbon cutting June 10. The ceremony took place in front of the newly constructed amphitheater, a centerpiece of the final phase of renovations funded by $7.5 million from grants and city funds. "Grants are important," Mayor Toni Iseman said. "They made this possible. " Orange County Integrated Regional Water Quality Management funded an $800,000 grant, and the state Water Resources Control Board put in $1 million from the Clean Beaches Initiative fund and another $1.8 million for the protection of the park's "area of special biological significance.

City planners kept the momentum going at the May 25 meeting on a project to prevent the Laguna Canyon Channel from flooding upstream from Main Beach. The Planning Commission signed off on the channel's rehabilitation from the outlet at Main Beach to Beach Street, although the project is not scheduled to begin until after Labor Day 2012. "We asked why they came to us so early, and they expressed concern that if the project were delayed for any reason, the agencies might reconsider their approvals," Commissioner Norm Grossman said.

Randy Larson has always wanted the most for his son Trevor. When Trevor was a child, Larson made sure to have activities for him and tried to create a good network of friends. This might seem like the normal plan for any parent but for Larson it was especially important. Trevor, now 28, has Down syndrome. When Trevor was growing up, Larson partnered up with local parents, creating sports teams for their special-needs kids. He has coached them in baseball, basketball and soccer for 23 years.